If you've got plans to cruise down Airport Boulevard near Interstate 40 over the next couple of nights, prepare to either change your route or be more patient. The N.C. Department of Transportation has put a temporary kibosh on this particular stretch, scheduling a full road closure to finish up some asphalt paving comfortably through the diverging diamond interchange. According to the N.C. Department of Transportation's announcement, the closures are set from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., starting from yesterday night and wrapping up tomorrow, given that the skies play nice.
Bear in mind, this isn't just a small inconvenience. It's a complete shutdown, both ways. And in an exercise of irony, one must detour to eventually arrive at where they initially intended. For the northbound folks, your detour involves a hop over to I-40 East, a quick visit to Aviation Parkway (Exit 285), then a U-turn on I-40 West back to Airport Boulevard North. To go south, it's somewhat the reverse: take I-40 West, dance on over to N.C. 540 (Exit 283), then perform a loop de loop onto I-40 East to rejoin Airport Boulevard Southbound.
If you're airport-bound, the N.C. Department of Transportation has a plan slated for you as well—all signs point to Aviation Parkway being your best bet. These detours and the work they're making room for is part of a greater blueprint, one focused on improving both the dance of traffic and general safety in this interchange.
For those who traverse these paths, heed this: caution is a must. There's going to be more metal and rubber shuffling in an intricate ballet near the work zone, and trust me, it's better to be part of the slow-moving symphony than a losing solo act. Motorists are wise to allow themselves a bit of leeway in their schedules, as there's likely to inevitably be delays. While the work is set for late hours to minimize the disruption, late-night travelers will still need to plan ahead to avoid getting caught in a jam.
